Directors’ group to nurture leaders.

A NETWORKING group to support emerging leaders in business will be launched this week.

The Young Directors’ Forum will aim to nurture young businesses, promote entrepreneurship and engage with the Welsh business leaders of the future.

The forum will be officially launched in Cardiff on Thursday. With an emphasis on creativity in business, the new forum from the Institute of Directors will host entrepreneur Glynn Pegler, CEO of Culture Group, as guest speaker.

The launch will be the first of regular informal events throughout the year, forming a new business network within Wales.

Supported by IoD Wales, the Young Directors’ Forum has been set up and run by five volunteers from within the business community – Elizabeth Williams and Lorraine Watts of Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice, Georgina Jones and Andrea Beardshaw of Sing and Inspire and Laura Windeatt of creative agency Golley Slater PR Wales.

Robert Lloyd Griffiths, regional director of IoD Wales, said: “The IoD Young Directors’ Forum offers a fantastic opportunity not only to represent Wales’ emerging business leaders but to support and inspire them. We have a wealth of business talent in Wales which we need to harness and grow so it can reach its full potential.”

“The IoD recognises that these are hectic and exciting times in Wales for young entrepreneurs and managers making their way in uncertain and sometimes uncharted waters. Knowing that time is in short supply in young and growing businesses, we are putting together a programme of events which will be cost effective and informative for those who want to develop their business.”

Mr Lloyd Griffiths said the objective was to bring young or new directors together to share experiences, while giving those who attend the opportunity to reflect upon and discuss their thoughts with contemporaries.

He added: “I am particularly pleased that the forum is being run by professionals from within the Welsh business community, which will ensure that its direction will remain both strategic and relevant.”